Chapter 136: Accelerated Cultivation

Chapter 136: Accelerated Cultivation

Gu Xiaqing was indeed astounded at this moment. When Chu Ning had left Yanji Fang a month ago, he had only been at the fifth layer of Qi Refining.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, a month had passed, and Chu Ning had astonishingly advanced by not just one, but two whole realms! How could this not leave her amazed?

Chu Ning gave a slight nod and said, "Indeed, when I returned to the sect after my time in the marketplace, I had just broken through to the sixth layer of Qi Refining. And now, with the opportunities I gained from the sect's assigned mission and my entry into the inner sect, I managed to break through to the seventh layer today."

Even though Chu Ning offered an explanation, Gu Xiaqing's face still bore a look of astonishment. Her talent was considered quite good. When she had left for Yanji Fang, she had already broken through to the eighth layer of Qi Refining and remained at that stage for some time.

And now, Chu Ning, who had been at the fourth layer, had leapfrogged to the seventh layer. While it was true that breakthroughs in the earlier stages were easier, it was still surprising enough to leave this outer disciple of the Pill Concocting Hall in awe.

Even Zhong Ying, a Foundation Establishment cultivator standing beside her, wore a slightly astonished expression at this moment.

However, this surprise was only fleeting, and her face soon returned to its usual calm as she spoke, "Since Chu Shizhi has both participated in the sect's mission and joined the inner sect, it's no wonder that he's on the path to achieving Foundation Establishment. Xiaqing, there's no need for you to be so astounded."

The matter of the Spirit Domain and the Spirit Plant was no longer a secret within the sect at this point. Anyone with a bit of status was already aware of it. Gu Xiaqing had heard about it from Zhong Ying after her return to the sect, so she was also informed.

Hearing Zhong Ying mention that Chu Ning now had the potential to achieve Foundation Establishment, a hint of envy flashed in Gu Xiaqing's eyes, and a gentle smile reappeared on her face as she said to Chu Ning, "In that case, I offer my congratulations to Chu Shidi."

"It's nothing. I was just lucky," Chu Ning replied modestly.

"You two continue your chat. I have some matters to attend to," Zhong Ying said as she noticed the two of them deep in conversation. Without further ado, she headed toward the inner chamber.

Chu Ning was also not inclined to dwell on this topic, and seeing that the Foundation Establishment stage senior was leaving, he immediately turned to Gu Xiaqing and asked, "Senior Sister Gu, you asked Senior Brother Zhong to pass on a message to me..."

"Yes!" Gu Xiaqing replied, promptly taking out a small bag of spirit stones and several jade boxes from her storage bag. "Chu Shidi, I've harvested all the Golden Primeval Fruits from your spirit field. Here are the spirit stones. As for the talismans you gave me, I've used them all up. These Golden Orchid Fruits just ripened a few days ago, and since I was returning to the sect, I plucked them and brought them back."

Hearing that Gu Xiaqing had indeed plucked all the Golden Orchid Fruits, Chu Ning was overjoyed. He quickly took them from her and thanked her profusely, "Thank you so much, Senior Sister. The sect instructed me to focus on cultivation, and I've been worrying about what to do with these spirit fruits."

A slight smile appeared on Gu Xiaqing's face, but her eyes held a curious gleam. "I've never heard of this Golden Orchid Fruit before, Shidi. It seems to share some similarities with the Golden Primeval Fruit in terms of aura, but upon closer inspection, there are also distinct differences."

Chu Ning replied vaguely, "This fruit is also something I cultivated by accident. It's the result of cross-pollinating the flowers of two different spirit plants. As for the name, Golden Orchid Fruit, it just came to me on a whim. It's understandable that you haven't heard of it before, Senior Sister."

Pausing for a moment, Chu Ning quickly continued, fearing that she might press him for more details, "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what this spirit fruit is useful for either, so I was planning to bring them back and study them further."

"I see," Gu Xiaqing said, finally understanding.

At this moment, Chu Ning hesitated. He didn't take the small bag of spirit stones and instead said to Gu Xiaqing, "Senior Sister Gu, consider the Golden Primeval Fruits as a gift from me to you. I'd like to ask for your help with something else."

Meeting Gu Xiaqing's puzzled gaze, Chu Ning continued, "The spirit plants that grow the Golden Orchid Fruits, the Iron Stem Orchids—there are two hundred of them in total. Could you trouble Senior Sister to dig them up and hand them over to Executor Lin Changqing? Please ask him to bring them back to the sect the next time he returns."

Chu Ning didn't mind about the Golden Primeval Fruits, as he still had some seeds left. However, the Iron Stem Orchids were crucial. He had purchased them from Yunhai Pavilion and planted them all in his spirit field. Since the Golden Orchid Fruit seeds couldn't be cultivated, he had no choice but to rely on cross-pollination between the two spirit plants. That was why these Iron Stem Orchids were so important.

There were still fifty of them in his outer sect courtyard, but the remaining two hundred were far more valuable.

"Of course," Gu Xiaqing readily agreed upon hearing Chu Ning's request. "I'll go to the spirit field and dig up those spirit plants for you when I return to Yanji Fang." However, she still insisted on giving the bag of spirit stones to Chu Ning. "This is just a small effort on my part. These Golden Primeval Fruits are the fruits of your hard work."

Chu Ning furrowed his brows slightly and continued, "Senior Sister, half of these spirit stones are my way of compensating you for your help, and the other half is meant for Executor Lin."

"For Executor Lin?" Gu Xiaqing was slightly taken aback.

Chu Ning nodded vaguely, implying that Lin Changqing would be more willing to help them if he received some benefits.

Gu Xiaqing was an intelligent woman, and she immediately understood. The look she gave Chu Ning became even more complex, leaving him unsure if it was because he knew about Lin Changqing's habits or because she now saw him as someone similar to herself.

However, she didn't say anything further and simply put the bag of spirit stones away.

Seeing this, Chu Ning secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had already made up his mind to leave the sect soon after perfecting the Greenwood Eternal Spring Technique. He didn't want to owe too many favors, so using spirit stones to request Gu Xiaqing's help was a way to minimize potential entanglements.

After some casual chat, Chu Ning took his leave.

As she watched Chu Ning's departing figure, Gu Xiaqing's gaze turned complicated once more. But in the end, she let out a soft sigh and turned back toward the inner chamber.

After leaving the Pill Concocting Hall, Chu Ning made his way directly to the outer sect courtyard that had been assigned to him.

To be honest, he had rarely visited this place since it was allocated to him. He had no attachment to it, but before he had entered the Spirit Domain, he had specifically planted the Iron Stem Orchids he brought from Yanji Fang here.

The courtyard had been assigned to him by the Spirit Talisman Pavilion, and now that he no longer resided there, it was only right to return it.

As he entered the pavilion, Chu Ning thought of the familiar Tan Zhang, his senior martial brother, and couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.

In the Spirit Domain, the two had joined forces to deal with the Yin Demon Sect.

However, during the subsequent outburst of Spirit Qi, Chu Ning never saw his senior martial brother again.

What surprised Chu Ning was that the executor, Liao Yunming, was also not present in the Spirit Talisman Pavilion. After thinking about it, Chu Ning could only give up.

Originally, Liao Yunming had given him the courtyard, so it was only proper for him to return it to the other party in person.

Upon returning to the inner sect, Chu Ning did not immediately go back to his cave abode. Instead, he wandered around the inner sect as if casually strolling.

This was, of course, to allow Ling Xiaobai to sense the situation with the protective array and find a more suitable place to escape from.

After wandering for half a day, Chu Ning finally returned to his cave abode.

Much to his surprise, even before he reached the entrance, he saw two figures standing outside.

With his extraordinary eyesight, he immediately recognized them as He Changyou and Liao Yunming.

Hurrying forward, he cupped his fists and greeted them.

"Greetings, Senior Martial Uncles."

"Don't be so polite, Chu Ning," the two executors said politely.

Liao Yunming smiled and said, "We heard that you've been accepted into the inner sect and have become the Sect Master's named disciple.

We've been wanting to congratulate you, but the last time we came, you were in seclusion.

Today, we received your message that you've emerged, so here we are."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Martial Uncles," Chu Ning said as he invited them into his cave abode.

As soon as they entered, their faces showed surprise.

He Changyou even spoke up directly, "Your cave abode is truly an auspicious place, Junior Martial Nephew."

Liao Yunming also laughed, "Indeed, Elder He, it's much better than ours."

Chu Ning, of course, politely thanked them.

The two executors then offered their congratulations once more, but they didn't have any particular business. After some small talk, they took their leave.

Chu Ning took the opportunity to return the restriction token for the courtyard in the outer sect to Liao Yunming.

After seeing them off, Chu Ning reactivated the cave abode's restrictions and shook his head slightly.

To outsiders, he had been accepted into the inner sect and was taken in as Master Xin Wuyao's named disciple.

Naturally, his future prospects seemed boundless, and perhaps because of this, the two executors had been so polite.

After all, there was a rumor within the sect that those who obtained the Spirit Qi would have a high success rate in establishing their Foundation.

However, Chu Ning knew his own situation best.

Putting aside the fact that he didn't have the subsequent cultivation technique, even if he did, he would never establish his Foundation here.

He didn't indulge in such vanity or pride. For him, the most important thing was to focus on his cultivation and leave this place of intrigue as soon as possible.

At this moment, Chu Ning put aside all distractions.

First, he took out the Iron Stem Orchids from his storage bag and planted them.

After finishing, he looked at the sparse garden with only a few Iron Stem Orchids and took out several jade boxes from his storage bag.

Of course, he wouldn't plant the Golden Primeval Fruits. A month or two was not enough time for him to cultivate the Golden Orchid Fruits.

He had planted these Iron Stem Orchids just to ensure their survival so that he could take them with him later.

At this moment, Chu Ning took out some seedlings from the jade boxes.

Most of them were seedlings that Chu Ning had obtained from the Spirit Domain. Although they had been kept in the jade boxes, they should be fine.

Now that he had the opportunity to plant them in such a place with abundant spiritual energy, he wanted to see if there were any spirit herbs or plants that responded exceptionally well to the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art.

As for the seedlings of the Flamewood Twin Birth Fruits, Chu Ning did not take them out to plant.

This type of spirit fruit had specific requirements for its growing environment; it needed a place with a strong concentration of fire-attribute spiritual energy.

Unless he took out the Fire Spirit Crystal and placed it in the garden, using the Spirit-locking Array to seal it, the environment here wouldn't meet the requirements.

And Chu Ning didn't know how to use the Spirit-locking Array, nor did he plan to plant this valuable fruit at the moment.

After planting all the spirit plants, Chu Ning finally began his cultivation.

During this period, because he had to refine the Spirit Qi within his body, Chu Ning had not consumed any spirit fruits or pills, nor had he used the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art to cultivate.

Now, he wanted to try something.

He wanted to see how his body, having undergone a transformation from the Spirit Qi, would aid in his cultivation.

Chu Ning utilized the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art and then went into the cultivation room to sit in meditation.

Half an hour later, Chu Ning emerged with a delighted look on his face.

Then, he went directly to the Iron Stem Orchids and continued to cultivate the Green Wood Eternal Spring Technique.

Immediately, strands of spiritual energy seeped out from the Iron Stem Orchids, merging with the spiritual energy in the air and entering Chu Ning's body.

Another hour passed.

When Chu Ning opened his eyes, a smile appeared on his face.

[Green Wood Eternal Spring Technique (Lower Yellow Grade), Third Layer (1742/2100)]



[Nine Transforming Body Refining Art, First Volume, Unending Sinews 652/1500]



[Refine God Technique, Second Layer 71/2000]



"One point of proficiency. With just direct cultivation and the aid of the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art, I was able to directly increase my proficiency by one point.

That's equivalent to one layer of Qi Refining!"

Chu Ning's eyes shone with delight. In terms of absorbing spiritual energy, his speed had increased by at least 50%! And that was on top of the advantage he already had with his Yin Wood Spirit Body, which naturally absorbed spiritual energy faster.

With his current speed of absorbing spiritual energy, if he also used spirit pills and spirit stones, increasing his proficiency in the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art by 4 or 5 points in a day wouldn't be difficult.

If he even gave up some of his Refine God Technique and Nine Transforming Body Refining Art cultivation, he could further accelerate his progress.

After all, he now had plenty of resources at his disposal.

With this in mind, he calculated that he might be able to master the third layer of the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art in just two months.

This speed would even surpass the rate of his breakthroughs in the previous layers.

Of course, Chu Ning also understood that this was partly due to the large boost in proficiency he had gained from the Spirit Qi.

After a brief rest, Chu Ning re-entered the cultivation room, ready to test the effectiveness of the resources he now had in abundance.

First, he took out a Golden Orchid Fruit and consumed it.

Then, he began to cultivate the Nine Transforming Body Refining Art and the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art.

"Unending Sinews increased by 2 points, but the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art didn't go up by 1 point."

Chu Ning quickly assessed the effect of the Golden Orchid Fruit.

While it still enhanced his body refining, its effect on his qi refining had diminished now that he had broken through to the ninth layer of Qi Refining.

Previously, one Golden Orchid Fruit would increase both his body and qi refining by 2 points.

Chu Ning wasn't too surprised, as the fruit had always been primarily for body refining.

After cultivating the Refine God Technique for a while, Chu Ning took out a Wood Element Pill, the one he had just received from the Thousand Artifact Pavilion.

Since the attendant at the pavilion had claimed that the Wood Element Pill was twice as effective as the Spirit Element Pill, Chu Ning wanted to verify if that was true.

He swallowed the pill and began to cultivate the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art again.

This time, Chu Ning spent some time to completely refine the pill's medicinal power.

[Green Wood Eternal Spring Art (Lower Yellow Grade), Third Layer (1745/2100)]



When Chu Ning checked the proficiency in his mind again, he was surprised to find that the third layer of the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art had increased by 3 points! Of course, this included the effect of the Golden Orchid Fruit he had consumed earlier.

But it also meant that refining the Wood Element Pill himself and then consuming it could increase his proficiency by more than 2 points.

"Gaining 5 points in a day won't be a problem at all. If I consume two Wood Element Pills a day, or cultivate with a medium-grade spirit stone, I might even be able to increase by more than 6 points!"

Chu Ning made his decision, but consuming two Wood Element Pills a day seemed a bit excessive, and it wouldn't be appropriate to visit the Thousand Artifact Pavilion too frequently.

However, he could alternate between using Wood Element Pills and Spirit Element Pills, or medium-grade spirit stones.

Chu Ning didn't have many medium-grade spirit stones; he had used some and acquired some more, so he had about 80 in total.

But at this point, he didn't hesitate to use them.

After all, spirit stones could be earned again, but danger could also strike at any time.

Understanding this, Chu Ning had a very clear idea about his cultivation plan going forward.

In the following days, Chu Ning continued his routine of planting, cultivating, and occasionally going out with Ling Xiaobai.

As an inner sect disciple, he remained low-key, and soon, no one in the sect paid much attention to him.

Especially during this time, some other events happened within the sect.

For example, the hundreds of Qi Refining disciples who had been injured gradually recovered, and as they returned to their respective peaks, news about the Spirit Domain spread like wildfire.

Also, it was rumored that an inner sect disciple who had obtained the Spirit Qi three years ago was about to attempt Foundation Establishment, and Sect Master Xin Wuyao himself was going to oversee the process.

Originally, this wasn't meant to be publicized, but the disciple in question couldn't help but brag about it, and the news spread.

It was said that Sect Master Xin Wuyao was so furious that he put the disciple under house arrest.

Another piece of news was that due to the heavy losses in the Spirit Domain, especially the large number of disciples who cultivated wood-attribute techniques, the sect's spirit fields and markets were facing operational issues.

In response, the Qingxi Sect urgently recruited a new batch of disciples and transferred several wood-attribute cultivators from the major families into the sect.

This caused quite a stir within and outside the sect.

During this time, Chu Ning continued to take Ling Xiaobai out for walks and regularly reported his cultivation progress to Sect Master Xin Wuyao, as instructed.

He deliberately acted as if he wanted to get closer to the sect master.

However, after learning about Chu Ning's seclusion, Sect Master Xin Wuyao only praised him a few times and didn't pay much attention to him.

Especially since Chu Ning's improvement in cultivation after refining the Spirit Qi wasn't that noticeable.

This made Xin Wuyao realize that Chu Ning, who was only at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, was still far from Foundation Establishment.

In fact, during Chu Ning's most recent visit, the sect master didn't even let him enter his cave abode.

Chu Ning was delighted by this decrease in attention.

During this period, Chu Ning also visited the Scripture Pavilion to check it out.

Learning that there was an order within the sect to prevent him from being distracted, he was only allowed to choose one type of technique.

Naturally, Chu Ning didn't take this opportunity lightly.

However, it seemed that there wasn't much restriction on him learning talisman-making techniques.

So, Chu Ning asked for a talisman-making manual, the one Liao Yunming had mentioned before, the Profound Talisman Compendium.

It was said to be the most comprehensive talisman manual in the Qingxi Sect, containing a large number of upper-grade elementary talismans and several intermediate-grade talisman-making methods.

In addition, Chu Ning also borrowed books from the Scripture Pavilion that introduced the geography of the cultivation world.

All of this was, of course, preparation for his upcoming escape.

In the blink of an eye, another fifty days passed.

On this day, Chu Ning reactivated the seclusion formation outside his cave abode.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end